Inguinal orchiectomy is a surgical procedure where a doctor removes one or both testicles.
An orchiectomy is typically used to treat testicular cancer, male breast cancer, and prostate cancer.
If you have questions regarding radical inguinal orchiectomy, schedule a consultation with the team at Urology of Greater Atlanta.
Our expert urologists offer accurate diagnoses and tailor-made treatment plans. So call or book an appointment now.
When Is an Inguinal Orchiectomy Needed?
A doctor may recommend an orchiectomy when a patient has breast cancer or prostate cancer. When the testicles are removed, the body cannot produce as much testosterone.
Testosterone can cause cancer to spread quickly throughout the body. A physician may recommend orchiectomy to reduce the growth rate of the cancer and lessen symptoms such as pain in the bones.
Your physician may recommend orchiectomy to treat conditions such as the following:
- early-stage testicular cancer
- severe trauma to the testicle
- testicular torsion (when the spermatic cord becomes twisted, cutting off blood supply to the testicles)
- undescended testicles after puberty
- transitioning from male to female
What Are the Different Types of Orchiectomy Procedures?
The different kinds of orchiectomy surgical procedures include:
- Simple orchiectomy: The removal of either one testicle or both testicles and a section of the spermatic cord through a minor incision in the scrotum. For cosmetic purposes, a doctor can insert a testicular prosthesis (prosthetic testicle) before closing the incision.
- Bilateral orchiectomy: A bilateral orchiectomy is the removal of both testicles.
- Subcapsular orchiectomy: A subcapsular orchiectomy is the removal of only the tissue surrounding the testicles.
- Radical Orchiectomy: A procedure used to treat cancer in the testicles. In this case, one or both testicles are removed as well as the cancerous tumor and the spermatic cord.
What Happens During a Radical Inguinal Orchiectomy Procedure?
Radical inguinal orchiectomy is used to treat testicular cancer.
A surgeon will make an incision (cut) in the groin area, the cancerous tumor, and the testicle during the procedure.
In addition, the spermatic cord is removed gently through the small opening that was made.
The doctor will remove the spermatic cord because it contains the vas deferens, blood, and lymph vessels which act as pathways for testicular cancer cells to spread throughout the body.
Your doctor might also perform a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, which removes retroperitoneal lymph nodes on the same side of the affected testicle to prevent the cancer from spreading.
According to a patient’s preference, a doctor might insert a prosthetic testicle for cosmetic reasons.
The surgery will then end with your physician washing the area with a saline solution and sewing the incision closed.
What Happens After an Inguinal Orchiectomy Procedure?
After the surgery, a patient will most likely experience discomfort in the groin and scrotum for about a week. If the pain is severe and lasts longer than a week, notify your healthcare provider.
Other things to expect after an orchiectomy procedure:
- A patient may need to wear a scrotal support garment for the first two days after the surgery.
- Activity such as exercise, sports, and sex need to be limited for about a month after surgery.
- Avoid straining during bowel movements (increase fiber in your diet and drink plenty of water).
- Avoid lifting heavy objects over 10 pounds for the first two weeks after surgery.
Possible Complications After an Orchiectomy
Like any surgical procedure, an orchiectomy procedure may cause a few complications.
Therefore, a patient should notify their doctor if complications such as the following are noticed right after the surgery:
- Redness, pus, or bleeding at the site of surgery
- Severe pain or loss of feeling in the scrotum
- Loss of muscle strength
- Inability to urinate
- A fever of over 100°F
The surgery might cause further complications in time, such as the following:
- Low testosterone (often treated with hormone therapy)
- Low sex drive
- Infertility
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Hot flashes
- Osteoporosis
- Blood clots
- Hemorrhaging, or internal bleeding
- Gynecomastia, or breast enlargement
- Infection
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms or complications above, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.
Conclusion
If you have questions or concerns regarding inguinal orchiectomy, then make an appointment to speak to one of the urologists at Urology of Greater Atlanta.
Our expert urologists provide state-of-the-art diagnosis and personalized treatment. So call or book an appointment now.
